Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef highlighted the Maldives’ commitment to sustainable ocean stewardship and called for immediate reforms in international climate finance during his address at the Honolulu International Forum (HIF), hosted by the Pacific Forum.
He drew attention to the Maldives’ deep reliance on the ocean and the growing risks the country faces from climate change, including coral bleaching, storm surges, and sea level rise. The Vice President pointed to national efforts focused on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and ecosystem-based coastal management, reinforcing the country’s pursuit of a resilient Blue Economy.
Despite these efforts, he noted that access to sufficient and sustainable climate finance remains a major challenge. He called for a shift away from development frameworks based on GDP, arguing that such models do not reflect the specific needs and vulnerabilities of small island developing states. Instead, he advocated for financing mechanisms better suited to such contexts, including concessional tools and climate-linked debt solutions.
He also acknowledged the Pacific Forum’s role in fostering dialogue and strategic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific over the past five decades, describing the forum as an important space for addressing shared concerns.
In closing, the Vice President stressed the importance of aligning global climate finance efforts with ocean-based economic resilience, calling for stronger international collaboration to support the livelihoods, heritage, and environmental future of the Maldives.
